Concert series offers everyone's favorite eras
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

Tours of late legends Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley may be just a memory, but music from three of the biggest names in American music will be part of the Camarillo Arts Council's upcoming summer concert and film series.

Between June 9 and Sept. 8, the volunteer-based council will host seven outdoor concerts and two family friendly movies at Constitution Park on Carmen Drive.

The series begins June 9 with the Wonderellas, a 1950s-era poodle-skirt and saddle shoe-wearing quartet of female singers.

Robert Capellini, an arts council board member, said the series is expected to draw nearly 35,000 concert-goers to the park neighboring city hall.

Highlights include a June 23 performance by the World Classic Rockers, which features members from Santana, Toto and Lynard Skynard. Johnny Cash's original band, The Tennessee Three, will perform July 7, Steve Tyrell returns to Camarillo on Aug. 4 and the platinum-selling Gin Blossoms take the stage Aug. 18.

This year, the arts council will partner with organizers from the Camarillo Arts and Jazz Festival to help host the Fri., Aug. 10 opening night concert featuring jazz keyboardist Gregg Karukas and singer Ron Boustead.

Raymond Michael's tribute to Elvis, set for Sept. 8, is a longtime fan favorite, Capellini said.

The two family films are football tearjerker, "We are Marshall" and the science fiction spoof "Galaxy Quest."

The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and the films begin at dusk.

Capellini said the nonprofit arts council uses donations to pay performers and keep the free concert series going.

"If just half of Camarillo's families donated $20 to $25, we'd have the money to bring in some very big names," Capellini said. Earlier this month, the arts council sent out donation requests and concert series schedules inserted with utility bills.

Picnickers are welcome at any of the concerts and various service organizations will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, coffee and cookies for charity.

Although the city of Camarillo maintains Constitution Park, arts council volunteers are responsible for maintenance and improvements to the outdoor stage.

Donations may be sent to the Camarillo Arts Council, P.O. Box 466, Camarillo CA 93011 or call (805) 482-0800 for information.